ALBANY — Passenger traffic increased by about 8 percent at Albany International Airport in 2016, and over 2.8 million people traveled through airport during the year.
In total, 2,818,013 people traveled through the airport in 2016, according to the airport. 1,407,434 passengers departed from the airport.
“Albany International Airport continues to be the fastest growing airport in upstate New York,” Kenneth Doyle, chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority said in a statement. “ As we enter 2017, we look forward to making several improvements that will support our airlines and add to our passengers’ experience.”
2016 marks the year with the largest passenger volume since 2007, according to the airport. Southwest Airlines, the airport’s most used line, carried almost 600,000 people, or 40 percent of the year’s passengers, in 2016. American Airlines, the second most used, carried almost 300,000 people and Delta Air Lines carried about 222,000. Other airlines utilized included United Air Lines, Cape Air, and Jet Blue. The airport is served by a total of 24 mainline and regional air carriers, which operate over 50 departures each day to 19 non-stop destinations.
In her recent State of the Town address, Colonie Town Supervisor Paula Mahan called Albany International Airport the fastest growing airport in the country. In August of 2016, the airport received $3 million in federal funding for upgrades. The funding, which was secured via a joint effort of U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Representative Paul Tonko, totaled $3,036,119, and it will go towards the design and construction of three passenger boarding bridges to maintain the efficient movement of passengers at the airport.
During the summer, the airport was the victim of an unfortunate theft attempt, during which two suspects tried to escape with $6000 worth of artwork. The two suspects, a step-father and step-son, were in the area working on a construction project in Catskill. They were both arrested.
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